TSA Oxford informational materials

Which courses use TSA Oxford?

About the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) Oxford

The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) Oxford is a 2-hour pre-interview test forapplicants to undergraduate courses at the University of Oxford. It is designed to help tutors assess whether candidates have the skills and aptitudes needed to study the following courses:

Economics and Management

Experimental Psychology

Human Sciences

Philosophy and Linguistics

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

Psychology and Linguistics

Psychology and Philosophy.

If you're applying for a joint course, you may also need to take a separate test in your other subject. You can confirm which test(s) your course requires at ox.ac.uk/tests. Separate registration is required for each test.

Thinking Skills Assessment: Section 1 (TSA S1)

Candidates applying to study Chemistry (F100) and History and Economics* (LV11) will be required to take the Thinking Skills Assessment: Section 1 (TSA S1) as part of their application. TSA S1 is a 90-minute test that consists of 50 multiple-choice thinking skills questions. Test-takers for these subjects will not be required to take Section 2 (the writing task). Applicants for Chemistry, and History and Economics must ensure that they are registered to take the test called Thinking Skills Assessment: Section 1 (TSA S1).
* Applicants for History and Economics also need to take the History Aptitude Test (HAT).

The information in this section is for applicants to the University of Oxford. For information about TSA: Section 1 for Land Economy at the University of Cambridge, please visit this section.

Test format

TSA Oxford is a pen-and-paper test. It consists of two sections:

Section 1: Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)

Section 2: Writing Task.

Separate answer sheets will be provided for each section. Calculators cannot be used.

Section 2: Writing Task

The ability to organise ideas in a clear and concise manner, and communicate them effectively in writing. Questions are not subject-specific.

Candidates must answer one essay question from a choice of four

30 minutes

Please note, applicants for Chemistry, and History and Economics are not required to do the writing task.

Delivery

TSA Oxford takes place on Wednesday 30 October 2019, usually at 09.00 GMT. The scheduled start times for international centres will vary, depending on where they are in the world. For exact timings, please check with your school or centre.

Most candidates will sit the test at their own school or college. Other candidates can find an open centre.